The political tension surrounding the 2027 presidential landscape has intensified dramatically, with the presidency directly challenging Peter Obi to honor his previous threats of stepping away from the race. This development follows a fierce public disagreement between the Anambra State government and the former governor regarding the true financial standing of the state when he handed over power.
The standoff began after the state administration publicly disputed Obi’s long-standing claim that he left office completely debt-free, without a single unpaid financial obligation to workers, pensioners, or contractors. According to official records cited by the state, several financial liabilities—ranging from lingering salary and pension arrears to substantial external loan balances—remained tied to his administration.
Zoyols News gathered that the dispute took a sharper turn when Law Mefor, the state Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, released a detailed statement criticizing Obi’s narrative as misleading propaganda. The commissioner outlined that eight external loans linked to projects initiated or inherited during Obi’s tenure still carry a balance of $92.35 million, translating to roughly ₦127.37 billion under current exchange metrics. These facilities were reportedly channeled into critical sectors such as healthcare, erosion control, and agricultural development, contradicting the narrative of a completely zero-debt transition.
Despite these assertions, Obi has consistently stood his ground, challenging anyone with verifiable proof of unpaid dues to come forward. He has maintained that his administration successfully cleared over ₦35 billion in historical backlogs and wrapped up his tenure without owing active workers, retirees, or verified contractors.
Seizing on the state government’s revelations, the presidency has now thrown down the gauntlet. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, took to social media to press the issue further, pointing out that the state’s factual breakdown has exposed unresolved arrears involving teachers, water corporation workers, and pension obligations. With the figures now out in the open, the presidential aide explicitly questioned whether the opposition figure would follow through on his earlier ultimatum to walk away from the 2027 contest.
